Every day our eyes take strain. Work, taking care of the family and environmental factors all play a role. Add to that smoking, poor dietary choices and not exercising, and the results are often sallow skin and dark under-eye circles. This impacts not only your appearance, but also your confidence.
“Dark circles under the eyes are not necessarily indicative of disease. It is a change in appearance from what is thought to be normal, due to various causes,” says Gauteng dermatologist, Dr Rakesh Newaj. According to Dr Newaj, common causes can include:
Your genes: It may be hereditary and could be a normal trait for certain families.
Colour abnormalities: Due to various factors, colour variations can occur at any age and can accentuate around the eyes, which may be more pronounced in people of African or Asian origin.
Sun exposure: Sun stimulates cells to produce more melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. In some people, this is more noticeable around the eyes.
Age: As we grow older, thinning skin and loss of fat and collagen can make the reddish-blue blood vessels under your eyes more obvious. “The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate, and contains minimal subcutaneous fat, so naturally it is one of the first places to show signs of ageing,” says Dr Justine Khoury from Langaro Wellness Spa in Cape Town.
Drink up
When you’re dehydrated, dark circles under the eyes look worse, says Dr Khoury. Using incorrect moisturisers can contribute to insufficient topical hydration. Besides not drinking enough water, alcohol use is the main cause of dehydration. So drink your water, and limit alcohol intake, she advises.
Sleep on it
Sleep is your best remedy against puffy, dark under-eye circles and a pale, washed-out complexion. Most of us need a good eight hours to facilitate vital cell repair, which occurs slightly faster at night.
Bags? What bags?
Thanks to colour correcting techniques, there are a number of options to hide all manner of skin imperfections. “The main aim of colour correcting is to cancel opposite hues, depending on your skin tone. By using colour correctors, you can hide the blemishes and dark circles as well as enhance your best features, like eyes and cheekbones,” says aesthetic therapist and beauty blogger Tendai Ngorima.
Colour correcting 101
Use a yellow-tinted concealer to hide dark purple circles and an orange concealer to hide blueish circles. A purple, lilac or blue concealer is best for removing the yellow/brown undertones in the skin, or even people who have a dull yellow complexion can use it as it adds a beautiful glow.
If you’re dealing with the majority of the face, look for a primer with a colour balancing formula. There are even green and light blue products to conceal red under-the-eye circles.
1. Choose a lightweight concealer. The product needs to glide on smoothly and not require a lot of rubbing to apply. Dark circles can be a reaction to circulation problems, which can be exacerbated by rubbing the skin under the eye.
2. Apply the foundation you normally wear to even out your complexion. Blend it as you usually would, without paying any special attention to under the eye.
3. Apply the concealer in a thin, even coat. This can be accomplished either by using a make-up brush or by patting it on with your finger.
IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com